Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the practice of optimizing a website to increase its rank in the search engine results pages (SERP) for certain queries. Local search engine optimization is the process of optimizing a website to increase its visibility for local searches.
For small businesses, ranking highly in searches is essential to growing their presence online. After all, what good is a website if no one can find it? Some say, having a website without proper attention to SEO is like having a billboard in a desert, no one sees it.
Fortunately, there are a number of things that small business owners can do to improve their local search visibility.
Here are three things you can do to improve your Local SEO!
1) Ensure your website is optimized for local search
The first is to make sure that your website is optimized for local SEO keywords. Consider the geographic area your business serves and include the town, city and province in your titles, tags, and descriptions of various pages on your website.
Your website also needs to have an easy way for people to contact you (and for search engines to connect you), so ensure your name, address and phone number are easily found and consistent everywhere online.
2) Get Your Business Listed in Online Directories and Get Reviews
CLAIM YOUR BUSINESS ON GOOGLE – Set up a Google Business Profile
One of the most important things a small business owner can do to improve their local rankings is to claim their Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly called Google My Business. GBP is a free platform offered by Google that allows businesses to manage their online information, such as their hours, location, and contact information.
Additionally, GBP also allows businesses to post updates, special offers, and announcements, respond to customer reviews, and add photos.
LOCAL SEARCH
Perhaps most important, though, claiming your business on GBP gives you control over how your business appears in Google Maps and in Google searches.
LOCAL BUSINESSES
In order to claim your business on GBP, simply go to google.com/business and follow the instructions. Once you have claimed and verified your listing, be sure to take some time to fill out each section completely and accurately. The more information you provide about your business, the easier it will be for potential customers to find you—and the better your chances of ranking highly in searches.
Read More About How to Set Up, Verify and Optimize Your Google Business Profile Here
OTHER ONLINE DIRECTORIES
Another great way to improve your local SEO is by getting your business listed in several online directories. Online directories are websites that contain your business listing as organized by category and location.
Having a business listing in online directories is a SEO strategy that will help you in a couple of ways:
- first, by increasing the number of high-quality backlinks pointing to your website; and
- second, by giving you another avenue through which potential customers can find your business information, even multiple locations, in a Google search so improving your business visibility online.
LOCAL SEARCH RESULTS
When choosing which online directories to list your business in, be sure to only choose reputable ones such as Trip Advisor, Yelp, and FourSquare.
Additionally, be sure to claim your listing on each directory and take the time to fill out your profile completely and accurately. As with GBP, the more information you provide about your business, the better your chances of ranking highly in searches.
COLLECT REVIEWS
Lastly, collect reviews through these online directories. Starting with your Google Profile, then Facebook, Trip Advisor, Yelp. Remember Microsoft Bing Places will automatically pull your Facebook reviews into your profile with them.
3) Create high-quality content
Finally, another great way to improve your position in search engine ranking pages (SERP) is by creating high-quality content on your website, blog pages and in your social media, relevant to your location.
When it comes to content marketing for SEO purposes, focus on creating blog posts or articles that deal with topics related to being a business owner in your city or town.
LOCAL BUSINESS
For example, if you own a pet store in Kincardine, you might write a blog post about the 5 Best Dog Parks in Bruce County or an article about how to start a dog walking business in Kincardine, Ontario.
Creating this kind of locally relevant content helps improve your search results because it signals to Google that your website is relevant to searchers looking for businesses like yours in your area. As a result, you are more likely to rank higher for these kinds of queries—and you’ll attract more customers to your business as a result!
You don’t have the time to write – we understand. As a local SEO company, based in Kincardine, Ontario, we can take organic blog writing off your plate, for a reasonable fee! Ask about our BLOG Writing for Keywords packages and get us on your team. Let’s talk!
Getting on Google Maps and improving your SEO doesn’t have o be difficult or expensive – there are plenty of simple things small business owners can do to raise their rankings in SERPs and get found by potential customers online!
By following the advice listed above – from claiming your business on Google (Google Business Profile), to creating high-quality content -you can watch your SEO efforts pay off big time!
POSTPROS: Conquer Digital Marketing
Ask about our six month PostPros Social Media Manager Package
Tired of trying to keep up with creating a social media calendar with quality posts on all of your social media channels? Our team is eager to help you with 8, 10, or 12 posts per month on each of your social media packages. We have a special starter package of 8 posts/month on each of your social media channels for six months $2500, ask Deborah about it – email deborah@519web.com
At 519Web, a local SEO Company, we have a digital marketing solution to help you conquer the four most important ranking factors when looking to grow your business online:
- Social Media, done for you;
- Organic Keyword Research and Articles to help with Local searches / SEO
- Website Updates & Development
Our mission is to help you own your brand online and to grow your business organically, so your business shows up when people are searching for products and services you offer.
Learn more about PostPros (our social media service) here!
ASK ABOUT OUR 519Web SEO RESEARCH PACKAGE
Initial Research | SERPs
We can do some initial research on your current status on SERPs (search engine ranking pages) and offer suggestions on how you might improve your ranking.
Initial Research | Keywords Already Ranking
We will tell you what keywords your business is currently ranking for and will provide ideas on how you can improve that position.
Initial Research | Organic SEO
We will also recommend keywords to focus on for new content you write. Organic SEO is almost magical, like planting seeds in a garden. When your business starts getting picked up for keywords your customers are searching for when looking for products and services you offer, your business grows without any further cost to you. LEARN MORE about Organic SEO Here
Simply email Deborah, deborah@519web.com to ask about 519Web’s SEO Research Package!
